Is It Permissible for a Christian to Smoke?

An office co-worker says: “I gotta have a cigarette!” and runs out to the courtyard to have a smoke. Unkind thoughts enter your mind: “How unprofessional! How unproductive! What a filthy habit! What doesn’t he just stop this disgusting addiction?”

That may be the sentiment of many non-smokers. However, a nicotine addiction is one of the most difficult to break. Even Christians have a tough time overcoming it. Non-smokers who consider smokers weak-willed don’t know the power of the drug.

No one is suggesting that it is all right for Christians to smoke. The health risks alone should be enough to discourage believers from shortening their lives. Like anything that presents a health risk, Christians should be concerned. Since we have been called by God to glorify him with our bodies, anything that enslaves us, whether it is food, alcohol, smoking, etc., should be brought under control. When it comes to smoking, the addiction to nicotine is powerful and, once hooked to nicotine, the Christian battles a chemical urge that doesn’t always go away with prayer and Bible study. There is no automatic spiritual formula for kicking the habit.

While a Christian may struggle through the ups and downs of chemical dependence, we should note that smoking is not the unpardonable sin. God’s grace is sufficient to atone for the smoking habit. The indwelling presence of His Spirit will eventually help any believer to pursue God’s highest purpose, including the progressive freedom from addiction.